Dad, originally uploaded by Lobinhoot.
Its alittle ironic for me to post my dad’s passing, right after wat I’ve posted previously about my nephew’s birth. But that’s life.
I lost my dad on 17 Oct 2008 to Cancer. He has been bravely fighting the disease since 1995. It has been a long 13 years. During the earlier years of his diagnosis, Radiotheraphy was introuduced and it apparently managed to remove the tumor in his nose. But in July this year, his nose has been swelling rather rapidly. I brought him to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and it was later ascertain to be a relapsed of his nose cancer.
It hasn’t, and never had, been easy for me to make all those decisions during my dad’s final days in the hospital. For a start, the surgeons were still optimistic about my dad being able to proceed with surgery. But his frail frame of just 30kg was a huge stumbling block for the Plastic & Re-constructive team at SGH. I have to make a special comment about the Plastic’s team at SGH, led by A/Prof Colin Song. He and his team has been the most OUTSTANDING group of doctors I’ve ever encountered. I pay my tribute to you and your team, Prof Song!
It was Prof Song and his team’s professionalism, dedication and compassion that helped eased my decision makings during my dad’s final days in the hospital. Without their advise and support, I will never have been able to go through this stage on my own. Of cos my wife and my family were on hand to provide me the necessary support. But for the doctors who were all outsiders, I really truely appreciate their “helping” hand.
Thank you, Prof Song and your team.
But all I can say now is,”Goodbye, Dad… You will always remain in my heart and I am proud to be your son.”
Below was an email I wrote to Singapore General Hospital and Prof Song.
“Good day, Prof Song! Its me, Tommy. I’ve just laid my dad to rest
yesterday.
My family would like to say a HUGE thank you to you, Dr Chia Hui Ling, Dr
Jonah Kua, one of ur Registrar (Dr Sevthi, I think), Dr Pearlie, Sister Ng,
Nurse Yap, Nurse Nurliza, Nurse Limin, Medical Social Worker Ms Constance
and the many other nurses within the ward of 63A. Apologies for not being
able to name each and everyone of you wonderful nurses in the ward that has
taken such good care of my dad during his time there.
Me and my family sincerely like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts
for taking such great care of my dad during his last days in the ward.
Without all your support, both physically and mentally, I am quite sure my
family and I would not be able to pull through that stage on our own. You
and your team’s commitment, professionalism and compassion were clearly
displayed during the past 3 weeks. I have great faith in your team and I
can testify for you and your team should anyone have any doubts with the
care and commitment of the PRAS’ ward in SGH.
Losing someone this close to me is certainly not easy to handle. But I am
more reliefed and glad, than sad, for my dad to be able to pass on as he
is. For that, I wished to thank you once more.
Prof Song, it was a great pleasure to haf you taking care of my dad. No
words could simply be written to express how much gratitude I have for you
and your team. All I can say to you and your team is this – Thank you very
very very much.
Best Rgds from your friend,
Tommy Low”
